REST IN PEACE: 5-Year-Old Ntombenhle Mzima Found Brutally R*pe and Stabbed on New Year’s💔🕊️On New Year’s Day, Ntombenhle was last seen playing at a friend’s house nearby in Bluegum View, Duduza, Ekurhuleni (East Rand, Gauteng).
Community members discovered her lifeless body in the bushes/open veld shortly afterward and alerted her family.She had been brutally raped and stabbed multiple times.
The attack was described as horrific, leaving the community outraged and in mourning.Police opened a murder and rape investigation immediately.
An initial suspect was arrested but released due to lack of evidence.Gauteng authorities (including Premier Panyaza Lesufi) publicly called for a swift 72-hour manhunt, but the killer was not found in that timeframe.The family held a funeral, and the community marched to the local police station demanding answers and faster action.
More than 18 months later, the case remains unsolved with no arrests that have led to a conviction.In January 2026 (one-year anniversary), the Mzima family and Duduza community were still actively seeking justice. Reports highlighted stalled investigations, frustration with police progress, and ongoing pain.
The family continues to demand answers, with questions about why the case has not advanced.Rest in Power, little Princess Ntombenhle. My deepest condolences 💔🕊️